No, both the form and the function of the diaphramatic soundboard panel design differs from the carved violin top. The violin is carved on both sides. The diaphramatic soundboard panel is planed/sanded/carved-if-you-will on the top only. The purpose of the diaphramatic soundboard panel - that is, thinning the panel at the edges - is to give the soundboard increased flexibility near its perimeter (the soundboard I build have untapered panels - perimeter flexibility is controlled by rib shape). I don't know much at all about violin building theory, but I think it is a fair bet that perimeter flexibility is not why the violin top is carved (although perimeter flexibility may well be one factor taken into consideration during the carving process...) I think it is fair to say though, that these are two different beasts. Terry Farrell > Isn't that what the diapframatic board is supposed to be? > James Grebe > > > >> Has anyone heard of anyone experimenting with a milled (carved, shaped, > >> sanded) board—similar to the way violin tops are made—as an alternative > >> to > >> deforming or reshaping anything--maybe even with a real high (or low, > > upside > >> down) crown like a violin?
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